Mayor says ‘LA will NEVER be completely open until we have a coronavirus cure’ in stark warning

Mollie Mansfield, News Reporter

13 May 2020, 16:23

Updated: 13 May 2020, 20:58

Mollie Mansfield, News Reporter

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LOS ANGELES Mayor Eric Garcetti has warned that the city will "never be fully open" until there is a coronavirus cure.

The mayor made the shocking announcement on Wednesday morning, just one day after the city extended its stay-at-home order.

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The mayor made the announcement on WednesdayCredit: ABC

During an interview on Good Morning America, Garcetti said: "I think we have to all recognize that we’re not moving beyond COVID-19.

"We’re learning to live with it."

He continued: "It’s important to take this serious because [the virus] is as dangerous today as it was the first day that it arrived in our cities and our country.

"So, quite frankly, there's no so-called 'open state' or 'open country' that doesn’t continue to have health orders telling us to cover our faces, physically distance and to tell people that you’re safest working from and staying at home.

"That's all that the county health director was saying, and we can't expect that to disappear in a matter of weeks or even a few months."

The mayor then went on to say "we will never be completely open until we have a cure."

His comments came just one day after LA announced it will extend its stay-at-home order for another three months as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the city.

On Tuesday, County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer acknowledged the extension during a Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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LA is set to stay closedCredit: AFP or licensors

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People in LA have been wearing face masksCredit: AFP or licensors

Last week, the county loosened some stay-at-home rules - but Ferrer said that restrictions will stay tight for a while.

“Our hope is that by using the data, we’d be able to slowly lift restrictions over the next three months,” she told the LA Times.

Ferrer also said her there is no way to open earlier "unless there's a dramatic change in this virus and the tools that we have on hand to actually fight against this virus."

However, the health expert did say that some individual restrictions will be "gradually relaxed" under the county's five-step coronavirus plan.

Other officials echoed this sentiment, including LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger who, according to the Times, said: "I am eager to reopen more of L.A. County as soon as it’s safe to do so.

"I’m confident that the more our communities continue to comply, the sooner we can resume normalcy."

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Lockdown protests have been taking place in LACredit: Getty Images - Getty

The Californiacoronavirus death toll currently stands at 2,778, with at least 1,600 of those deriving from Los Angeles alone.

Last week, California stores that abide by government policies were permitted to reopen.

In counties where local public health officials can certify the spread of the virus is under control, restaurants and other parts of the hospitality sector would be permitted to open their doors.

“We are entering into the next phase this week,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a press conference.

“This is a very positive sign and it is happening for only one reason: The data says it can happen."

Officials also announced this week that LA beaches are set to reopen on Wednesday, after being closed for six weeks.

However, beachgoers will have to wear face masks and will not be allowed to sunbathe or picnic, the Times reported.

Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand announced that beaches will reopen on Wednesday on his Facebook page.

He wrote: "Please adhere to the restrictions. If the Governor or County Health Dept. see pictures of us not social distancing, they can and will close us down as they did in Orange County.

"So please, hit the beach, do your thing, and leave. No hanging out for this first phase. Phase 2 to follow where more will be allowed."

However, it seems unlikely that students will return to college anytime soon.

California State University, which is the nation's largest four-year college system, is planning to cancel most of its in-person classes in the fall, the LA Times reported.

"Our university, when open without restrictions and fully in person … is a place where over 500,000 people come together in close and vibrant proximity," Chancellor Timothy White said at a meeting of Cal State’s Board of Trustees.

"That approach sadly just isn’t in the cards now."

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Barbara Ferrer acknowledged the extensionCredit: AP:Associated Press

Instead, most of the classes that take place across the 23-campus system will be taught online.

During a Senate meeting on Tuesday, Doctor Anthony Fauci warned that coronavirus vaccines won't be ready in time for schools to reopen in the fall.

Fauci was asked what advice he would give chancellors looking to persuade students to return to education this August.

"I would be very realistic," the doctor said. "Having treatments available or a vaccine to facilitate the reentry of students into the fall term would be something that would be a bit of a bridge too far.

"Even at the top speed we’re going, we don’t see a vaccine playing in the ability of individuals going back to school this term."